Somatosensory dysfunction in patients with posttraumatic headache: A systematic review.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pain Research
• Traumatic Brain Injury

Background:

• Posttraumatic headache (PTH) is a common complication following traumatic brain injury (TBI).
• PTH significantly impacts patient quality of life.
• The pathophysiology and origin of PTH remain poorly understood, leading to insufficient treatment options.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on sensory function in PTH.
• To explore pain modulatory systems in PTH patients.
• To discuss the role of sensory alterations in PTH development and persistence.

Main Methods:

• PubMed database search for relevant studies.
• Inclusion of studies on pain modulation and quantitative sensory testing in individuals with post-TBI headache.
• Analysis of sensory profiles and pain inhibition capacity.

Main Results:

• Heterogeneous alterations in sensory profiles, particularly in heat and pressure pain perception, were observed in PTH patients compared to controls.
• Diminished pain inhibition capacity was identified in individuals with PTH.
• No distinct sensory pattern for PTH could be established due to study heterogeneity.

Conclusions:

• Further research is essential to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of PTH.
• Identification of biomarkers for predicting PTH development and persistence is needed.
• Understanding sensory function and pain modulation is crucial for developing targeted treatments for PTH.